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ESPN staff
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has been ruled out of the Commonwealth Games due to a groin injury, says Rajeev Mehta, general secretary of the Indian Olympic Association.
Chopra won silver at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon on Sunday, but had spoken about a groin strain after the event.
Speaking to ESPN, Mehta said, “He underwent an MRI scan after suffering a strain at the World Championships and has been advised a month’s rest to recover.”
Our Olympic Champ @Neeraj_chopra1 will not be defending his title at @birminghamcg22 due to concerns regarding his fitness. We wish him a speedy recovery & are supporting him in these challenging times.#EkIndiaTeamIndia #WeareTeamIndia pic.twitter.com/pPg7SYlrSm
– Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) July 26, 2022
Speaking after his World Championships silver medal in Oregon, Chopra said, “I was feeling the strain after my fourth throw. I wasn’t able to put in as much effort at that point…I was feeling it (the strain). The doubts did creep into my mind after that. I’ve strapped my leg now and hopefully I’ll be fit in time for my next competition. I should, hopefully, be alright.”
Chopra, among the strong medal favourites at the Commonwealth Games, has enjoyed a superb run of form since his return to competition earlier this year.
He began his season with a stunning 89.30m at the Paavo Nurmi Games on June 14, followed it up with an 86.89m amidst slippery conditions at the Kuortane Games on June 18 and followed it up with a massive personal best of 89.94m at the Stockholm Diamond League event 12 days later.
He has faced stiff competition from Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who has repeatedly crossed the 90m mark this year and retained his World Athletics Championships crown last week, and the two were to clash again at the Commonwealth Games.
India will have two more representatives in men’s javelin in two young throwers – Rohit Yadav and DP Manu.